New Name

In Maharashtra state, India, local officials held a renaming ceremony for some 200 girls.  They were given new names as their old names given to them at birth meant "unwanted".    You can read more about the ceremony here.


It's sad.   To be given a name that would mark you, in that society, for the rest of your life - awful.  Who would do that to a child?  It would be equivalent to naming a child here in America "garbage" or "trash" or "wish you were never born".  From the beginning of your life, you would know you were not welcome.  Can you imagine?


I think it's awesome this state in India has recognized how damaging this is and has given these girls a chance to re-name themselves.  In doing that, they have allowed them to dream, allowed them to see all they could be instead of all they have been told they are.  Kudos to the local officials for caring about girls and lifting them up.  


It reminded me of Ezekiel 36:26:  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.


This is what Jesus does for us when we give our hearts and lives to him.  He gives us a new name, a new heart, a new spirit.  He removes our hearts of stone and gives us hearts of flesh.  He tells us know we are not garbage, trash, unwanted, unwelcome.  He allows us to see who He sees us as instead of who we have been told by this world we are.  


Have you been re-named by Jesus?  Have you allowed Him to remove your heart of stone?  Have you heard your new name yet?  All you have to do is ask.  He's willing to give it to you if only you would give your life to Him.  Come - take part in the renaming ceremony!